The OPRL is excited to introduce Emma Richardson – Laboratory Technician!

Emma is driven by a passion for athletic performance research. At OPRL, she supports lab operations, data collection, and research initiatives aimed at exploring human performance and athletic innovation.

Emma earned her master’s in Sport & Exercise Science from the Technical University of Munich. She spent two years in Germany gaining international experience in exercise physiology. This included both lab and field-based testing, such as a high-altitude experiment in the Austrian Alps. Her thesis focused on the impact of carbohydrate knowledge on dietary intake in amateur triathletes.

Prior to that, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin, where she served as captain of the All-Girl cheer team, which initiated her interest in sports science. She later worked as a high-performance intern for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, supporting athletic development, performance testing, and monitoring of athletes ranging from developmental to multi-time Olympians.

Emma aims to use her experience in research and applied sports science to enhance athlete health, performance, and scientific discovery at OPRL. Outside of work, she enjoys outdoor activities such as trail running, gravel biking, and skiing.

The OPRL is excited to introduce Kristina Binder – first year PhD student!

Kristina aims to become a researcher in applied exercise physiology, with a primary focus on exploring the impact of the gut microbiome and inflammation on exercise performance. She is particularly interested in understanding how these factors evolve with aging. 

Kristina earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology from Gonzaga University. During her final years in the program, she contributed to a range of research projects, spanning topics from physiology to education. She studied the role of chromatin remodeling complexes in oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, she assisted with a project that analyzed the use of the core concepts of physiology within university curricula. These experiences fueled her desire to pursue a career in physiological research. Her interest in exercise physiology developed through coursework during her education, where it became one of her favored subjects. She also grew curious about how other physiological systems could influence exercise performance. This drive to understand the integration of systems and their impact on human performance ultimately led her to the Oregon Performance Research Laboratory.  

Outside the lab, she enjoys snowboarding and spending time in nature. She also loves taking her dog, Eddie, on adventures such as swimming or playing in the snow.

As we kick off Year 2 of the OPRL, we’re excited to introduce some new members! First up is Hannah Young, a first year PhD student.

Hannah is an aspiring exercise physiology researcher. Her interests are vast, but she is keen to investigate sex differences in athletic performance and the impacts of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) and Low Energy Availability (LEA) on various physiological measures. Hannah’s athletic pursuits, previous injury history, experience coaching female athletes, and personal journey through eating disorder recovery fuel her passion for research in this field.

Hannah earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Science, with a minor in Psychology, from the University of Nebraska. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from James Madison University. Her master’s research revolved around respiratory physiology, where she examined the changes in operating lung volumes and expiratory flow limitation throughout the course of pregnancy. This project reignited Hannah’s passion for science, sparked an interest in research, and formed a deep curiosity that she intends to follow as she pursues her Ph.D. here at UO.

Hannah also played collegiate soccer for both UNL and JMU, eventually pivoting to a coaching role at JMU after several serious injuries. Now, Hannah channels her curiosity for discovering her own limits into trail ultrarunning. She completed her first 50k in the spring of 2023 and has ambitious goals for her future in this sport. Her journey is guided by an enjoyment of the process, an intense love for the mountains, an appreciation for the connection this community fosters, and a deep sense of gratitude for an able body.